Last Updated on February 14, 2025
Food in Bolivia is relatively inexpensive compared to incomes in developed countries. An average Bolivian can cover their monthly food needs with less than $100, maintaining good quality and ensuring all necessary nutrients. However, specialized restaurants and tourist-oriented establishments will charge significantly more for their meals.
The average Bolivian spends approximately $70/month on food and groceries. A typical meal can cost around $3, breakfast around $2, and dessert around $1. Tourists tend to spend much more on food than locals, averaging $15/meal, $25/day, or $750/month. This is because tourist-oriented locations often charge higher prices to foreigners.
We are Bolivian real estate experts (website) who have lived here our entire lives. In the following sections, we’ll provide a detailed breakdown of food and grocery costs in Bolivia, including how much tourists are typically charged. Finally, you’ll find some tips on saving money when purchasing food and groceries in our country.
The Real Cost of Food in Bolivia
Most Bolivians can cover their monthly food expenses with around $70, and the quality of this food ranges from decent to high. Generally, restaurants offering good service and quality food rarely exceed $4 per meal.

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The situation is different for tourists in Bolivia. Unfamiliar with the country and where to eat, they often frequent tourist-oriented establishments where food costs are significantly higher compared to the rest of the country. In these tourist locations, you’ll find that the average meal generally costs around $15 – five times the typical food price in Bolivia!
Type of Cost | Avg. Spending in Bolivia (1 person) |
Food and Beverages (per month) | $70 |
Typical Meal | $3 |
Typical Breakfast | $2 |
Typical Dinner | $2 |
Typical Fast Food Meal | $5 |
Tourist Meal | $20 |
Exclusive Restaurant Meal | $7 |
Self-Cooked Meal | $1.50 |
Therefore, whether you’re coming to Bolivia to live or for tourism purposes, *and you want to save money*, consider dining at well-established restaurants in the downtown areas of major cities or purchasing groceries at supermarkets and preparing your own meals. By doing so, you’ll save considerable money, often paying an average of $4 per meal, not $20 as many tourists typically do.
Remember to be selective about where you eat in Bolivia. Only patronize a) tourist-oriented establishments, b) large restaurants in the downtown areas of major cities, and c) hotel restaurants. This will help you avoid potential health risks associated with unsanitary food preparation in some less reputable establishments.
Price List for Food and Groceries in Bolivia
The following table provides detailed prices for various types of food currently available in Bolivia. You’ll find these prices whether you shop at open-air markets or supermarkets (*with approximately a 20% premium in supermarkets*). These prices are average for Bolivians living in the country.
Type of Food | Average Cost (2022-2023) |
Water (2-liter bottle) | $1.00 |
Milk (1 liter) | $0.50 |
Bread (1 serving, 100g) | $0.07 |
Rice (1 pound) | $0.50 |
Eggs (1 unit) | $0.11 |
Cheese (1 pound) | $2.00 |
Chicken Meat (1 pound) | $1.43 |
Red Meat (1 pound) | $4.29 |
Apples (1 unit) | $0.21 |
Bananas (1 unit) | $0.04 |
Oranges (1 unit) | $0.07 |
Tomatoes (1 pound) | $0.43 |
Potatoes (1 pound) | $0.29 |
Onions (1 pound) | $0.36 |
Carrots (1 pound) | $0.36 |
Lettuce (1 unit) | $0.57 |
Fruit Juice (1 serving, 1/4 liter) | $1.14 |
Cookies (1 bag, 500g) | $0.71 |
Cola (1 serving, 1/4 liter) | $0.14 |
Beer (1 serving, 1/4 liter) | $0.57 |
Restaurant Full Meal (1 person) | $2.86 |
Delivered Full Meal (1 person) | $5.00 |
Burger King Hamburger (1 serving) | $4.29 |
Subway Sandwich (1 serving) | $2.86 |
Household Assistant (1 month) | $500.00 |
As you can see, for just $1 in Bolivia, you can purchase one of the following combinations:
- 2 liters of bottled water
- 2 liters of pasteurized, branded milk
- 9 eggs
- 13 oranges
- 5 apples
- 30 bananas
- And so on.
Furthermore, with $1.50, you can obtain a decent breakfast, and with $3, a satisfying full meal in Bolivia. To find these prices, you’ll need to become familiar with the local area and, eventually, you’ll discover the best open-air markets and supermarkets.

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If you’re a tourist, in most cases, you’ll likely find it more convenient to purchase overpriced food and meals at tourist-oriented establishments, with prices 5x to 7x higher. These places will guarantee you the best food quality, culinary experiences, and a wide variety of traditional dishes that you might not find easily elsewhere.
Different Bolivian Income Levels and the Cost of Food
Food expenses in Bolivia can vary significantly depending on an individual’s income level. Expats typically behave similarly to high-income Bolivians and, accordingly, spend comparable amounts on groceries.
Lower-Class Bolivian | Middle-Class Bolivian | Upper-Class Bolivian | |
Avg. Food Expenses / Month | $45 | $120 | $750 |
Avg. Food Expenses / Day | $1.50 | $4 | $5 |
Lower-income individuals in Bolivia *maximize their savings on food*. In many cases, they purchase groceries at wholesale prices directly from producers. They never shop at supermarkets and often receive significant discounts from open-market vendors they’ve known for years.
As a result, they typically spend as little as $45 per month per person on food. They also frequent restaurants where they can get meals for around $2, benefiting from established relationships and discounts.

On the other hand, high-income Bolivians *almost exclusively shop at supermarkets* or chain grocery stores. They also dine at more expensive restaurants, spending around $5 per meal. Middle-income individuals in the country tend to *combine these strategies*, purchasing some groceries at dedicated stores but the majority at open-air markets.
Tourists and the Cost of Food
If you’re a tourist unfamiliar with dining options in Bolivia, *you’ll likely pay significantly more for food*. Tourist-oriented restaurants and establishments will capitalize on this, charging around $20 to $30 per meal, as if you were in a developed country. These prices are prohibitive for most Bolivians and make little sense to many of us.
However, for you as a tourist, it might be the most suitable option, as tourist-oriented establishments guarantee the highest food quality *and offer a wide variety of traditional dishes* that you might not easily find elsewhere.

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The following table presents average food prices for various tourist-oriented establishments and restaurants in Bolivia.
Type of Food Expense | Average Cost (1 tourist) |
Tourist Avg. Daily Expense | $25 |
Tourist Avg. Monthly Expense | $750 |
Hostel (1 meal) | $3 |
1-Star Hotel (1 meal) | $3.50 |
3-Star Hotel (1 meal) | $7 |
5-Star Hotel (1 meal) | $17 |
Regular Restaurant (1 meal) | $3 |
Tourist Restaurant (1 meal) | $15 |
Exclusive Restaurant Meal | $7 |
Fast Food (1 meal) | $5 |
In a Major Bolivian City (1 meal) | $3 |
In a Bolivian Town (1 meal) | $5 |
In Rural Tourist Areas (1 meal) | $10 |
It’s up to you to decide whether to prioritize comfort and spend this amount of money at tourist locations or to save money by dining at well-established restaurants in the downtown areas of Bolivia’s major cities and obtaining your meals there. As we’ve stated, remember to only patronize large, well-known restaurants in the downtown areas of major Bolivian cities to avoid potentially unsanitary food and establishments.
Comparing the Cost of Food in Bolivia to Other Countries
The cost of food in Bolivia is very low compared to other countries. Most lower- to middle-class Bolivians can comfortably manage with just around $70 per month, and this amount provides access to very healthy food, including vegetables, fruits, grains, meat, and other essential groceries.
High-income Bolivians tend to purchase the best available food, regardless of whether it’s healthy or fast food, and they typically spend twice as much as Bolivians with average incomes. Most expats living in Bolivia exhibit similar behavior to high-income individuals, spending around $150 to $250 on food each month to obtain the highest quality meals and groceries.
As you can see, food in Bolivia is relatively inexpensive compared to other countries. However, when compared to the average wage here, which is around $400, it represents a significant portion of that income, approximately 17%. Nevertheless, a foreigner from a developed country shouldn’t have any difficulty covering their food expenses in Bolivia.
It’s also worth noting that food expenses in Bolivia are significantly higher than in India, as much as twice the cost.
Bolivia | Middle-Class Bolivian | USA | Canada | UK | India | |
Avg. Food Expenses / Month | $70 | $120 | $660 | $370 | $210 | $45 |
Avg. Food Expenses / Day | $2.40 | $4 | $22 | $12 | $7 | $1.50 |
Conclusions:
In this detailed guide on food costs in Bolivia, you’ve learned that an average Bolivian can cover all their food needs for a month with around $70. You’ve also learned that an expat living here can obtain the highest quality food, meals, and groceries for approximately $150-$200 per month per person.

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You’ve also realized that tourists typically pay significantly more for food in Bolivia than locals, as they tend to dine in tourist-oriented establishments and restaurants that charge higher prices. However, this often comes with the benefit of increased comfort, safety, and variety in dishes and meals. An average tourist will spend around $15 per meal.
On the other hand, you’ve discovered that by patronizing large, well-known restaurants in the downtown areas of major Bolivian cities, you can obtain excellent food for only around $3 to $5 per meal. Always be cautious and avoid eating at other establishments. Finally, you’ve learned that after residing in Bolivia for a while, you’ll be able to find very affordable prices for food at supermarkets and open-air grocery markets.
We hope this information has been helpful. If you’d like a comprehensive overview of the actual cost of living in Bolivia, please visit our dedicated guide here: The cost of living in Bolivia: All you need to know.
CasasenBolivia.com, information on living, working, investing, and traveling in Bolivia.